Well, California has been having some wild and crazy weather all week.Besides the previous wild fires earlier, we have now encountered back-to-back storms, pounding us with wind, rain and snow.No green house gases coming out of our state.One thing good is my lawn is now a luscious green and just when I was starting to bitch about watering it all the time.My plants and trees are looking like I’ve always planned it. And I didn’t have to lift a finger... wait, I think I hear my wife talking about trimming the trees.“Dang!I think I gotta go paddle.”
Brad Gaines of Paddleme.com sets up early in anticipation of the day's events.
Speaking of paddling, Hanohano hosted their umpteenth OC1 race yesterday.It usually is the most well attended race of the one-man season.There were kids crawling all over the beach.They were even in the water racing just like the big boys.Dana Point OCC and San Diego Junior Kayak teams excelled like rock stars as kids from 5yrs old and up raced against the field.11 year old Jack Downey was one of the leaders in his field of paddle boarders.There were Kayaks, paddleboards, standups, OC1, OC2 and surfskis singles and doubles. Oh by the way the weather was perfect.After all the dire predictions of heavy wind and rain slated for race day, nothing more than a gentle breeze ruffled the course.
The row of cars with boats on top stretches across the length of the parking lot.
In the long course, Danny Ching won by a couple of minutes over his team mate Steve Sinkus. He has been doing gym work and stretches more than on-the-water paddling. Danny has been busy testing and refining his new Mudbrook blade, offering it to his friends to try it out in return for any small feedback. More paddlers from Hawaii and California are asking for his blades, which is good for him as he is always thinking of ways to make it better.
Steve Sinkus too has been concentrating on core strength and muscle endurance, especially since the weather has been terrrible. "It doesn't rain in the gym and there's no whitecaps in your face." Coming in a strong third, was Dave Spitzer, who looks like he has been training again. Dave works for U.P.S. delivering and picking up packages. It is a physically challenging job, which I did for years. It will keep you in shape whether you like it or not. Surfski guys Pat Dolan and Eric Abott and Tyler Morgan led the pack finishing way ahead in order of 1st, 2nd and 3rd. were here to lead the way. Pat and Eric train together at the Olympic center Chula Vista San Diego, while Tyler Morgan is an ocean lifeguard in the SouthBay area. In the women OC1 it was Juli Wolfe 1st, Vicki Mills 2nd and Dani Bell 3rd. Please check the Hanohano results at http://eteamz.active.com/hanohano/files/Hanohanoresults2008.xls
Several entrepernuers brought their products which included surfskies, paddleboards, paddles, watergear, OC1s and standups. OceanOhana brought their giant van too.
Juli Wolfe won the women’s OC1 division beating her dear friend Vicky Mills.Vicky tried out the Hurricane OC1 and wasn’t used to it.She normally races the Makia.Of course everyone threw in their two cents about it, citing that the Hurricane seems to favor smaller paddlers with its smaller hull volume.But we’ve seen it win with bigger guys, so whassup?I always say, “In the end, people will remember it’s not how they won, it’s who won.”In the long course, the best run was the first leg of a triangle, where there were small bumps from the wind and escort boats.It was fun reading the swells and sliding in and out, although some of the swells were mere teasers.
In the short course, the first row takes off amid a cloud of spray and jockying for position.
Eventually we turned and raced across the swells adjusting our strokes to the weather Three miles later we turned again to race home, searching for swells. But if you look hard enough there’s always a swell that’ll take you where you want.Entering the harbor was like paddling up river as the receding tide pulled us to a slow grinding speed. It was like taking three strokes forward, dragging two strokes backward.But eventually we got out of it and sprinted across the finish trying to look good even though you know you look bedraggled.Funny how little things can get under your skin when you’re tired.I’ve seen paddlers expend every ounce of energy in order to beat another across the finish.As soon as they are across the line, the timers start yelling, “WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER?” From the look on the poor guy’s face, you can tell he's tired and confused, “What number? Why is everyone yelling at me? Can't they see I'm dying? Heck I can’t even remember my name.”
The second row takes off moments after the first. This row contained paddleboards and standups. The separation made it easier on the timers.
We have photographers, some are professionals and others are amatuers like you and I. Most of all we have lots of exposure all the time. Since the the advent of the digital camera, photography has become easier for the average person. However if you really want to see some good stuff look at web sites such hamsterworks.com which is run by Brian Vesty. http://www.hamsterwroks.com/outriggerphotos He is usually at all the races with his "Big gun" pointed at you. You'll find him usually hanging half way out of the boat clicking away at the competitors, enduring gas fumes, waves and distraction. Great photos. Also there is Gary Cannon who paddles for Kai Elua. His web site is http://smugmug.com/ You'll find Gary roaming the beach and on the water if he's not racing. Photographer Bruce White of Windandsea.com is a professional who's web site http://www.windanseaphoto.com/ is always available and worth checking out after a big race. Put all these photographers together and we are lucky to have so much coverage in our sport. So next time you race don't think you are alone at sea, because when you least expect it, "You may be on Candid Camera."
After a hard race, paddlers drag their beaten bodies out of the canoes. Are we having fun yet?
OC1 Clinic On Saturday February 2nd Danny Ching and Chris Stolba will be instructing their first OC1 clinic. Due to the overwhelming response the class is already full. Others will be planned in the near future. It will be held at King Harbor Redondo Beach California at the Lanakila training site. The hands-on-training limits the amount of students to be accepted. Instructinons will be on land and sea with instructors on a motor boat, while the students paddle along side. At the end of the class there will be a personal video tape handed to each student containing the day's instructions of the student's corrections and or improvements during class. The cost of the class will be $80.00 per student.
Young handsome paddler doesn't look tired at all after his race.
Timers intent on getting it right. "What's YOUR number?"
Thanks to Hanohano for hosting the race.Great raffle prizes.They handed out so many good prizes we were amazed.Thanks again to all the helpers and skippers.See you guys at the next race at NAC on February 9th
MahaloAl
In a letter written by Dan Van Duyck organizer of the event he writes:
Hanohano Ocean Challenge Jan 26, 2008
12th Annual Surfski, Outrigger, Paddleboard Race
Mission Bay, San Diego, Calif
Info:
Over 230 paddlers from different disciplines enjoyed a great race in San Diego today.
Paddleboards and Stand-ups raced hard with surfski's, Olympic k-1's, OC-1's on the 4.75 mile short course followed by surfski's, doubles and OC-1's on the 9 mile Open ocean Long Course.We had some great races within the race, notably 5 12 & unders who raced 4.75 miles on stock paddleboards led by 11 year old Jack Downey.Danny Ching raced a SUP for the first time...not so easy huh? We had a great showing from the juniors from Dana Point and the San Diego Junior Kayak team. I saw some old friends from the San Diego Lifeguard Service. Scott Tinley was there fresh off of hip surgery.Heather Fuhr kicked some butt on a stock Paddleboard.All the usual OC-1 guys, Danny Ching and Steve Sinkus and Surfski guys, Pat Dolan and Eric Abbott were here to lead the way. Kyle Daniels made the trek from L.A. to win a watch in the unltd paddleboard division, Roch Frey and Tommy Coon won stock and 14’ respectively.Tony Meuller came down from Santa Cruz to show everyone how fast SUP’s can go and Chris Koerner came down from Dana Point to win 12’ SUP.Dave Parmentor was in the main pack of SUP’s as well as some of the guys from C4.Overall, we had a great day of competition and camaraderie. Special thanks to Wahoos for the great grinds and Nixon (nixonnow.com) who donated killer watches for the winners of all Long Course divisions and Short Course Paddleboard divisions...Thank You Nixon and to our long time sponsor Huki Outrigger/Surfski.We also had the best raffle ever...thanks to C4 Waterman, Dakine, Honolua Surf,Kialoa, Mudbrook Paddles, Hansen's Surfshop, Ocean Ohana, Destination Surf, Ocean Paddlesports, Eaton, Better Surf than Sorry, Paddleme.com, Maui Ripper and Epic.You are the reason our sport continues to grow.
